Through the French-language proficiency category draw under the Express Entry system, IRCC issued ITAs to 5,500 applicants who met the category's eligibility requirements. This is the second draw in the category in 2026, and it was conducted on March 4, 2026. Candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 397 and those who submitted their Express Entry profiles before October 10, 2025, at 6:18 p.m. UTC were considered for the draw.
The cut-off score required was the lowest in the category-based draw in the past year. The draw that had the lowest cut-off score in recent times has been in the physicians with Canadian work experience category draw.
This draw is the 13th Express Entry draw in 2026. The highest number of invitations in 2026 has been sent to the Canadian Experience Class candidates (24,000 ITAs sent thus far). Following the Canadian Experience Class draw, the highest number of invitations has been in the French-language category (14,000 ITAs sent thus far).
On the basis of the recent trends, candidates with Canadian work experience or a provincial nomination are the most likely to receive ITAs.
To smoothly transition into permanent residency, what you can do is to strengthen your profile, strategically plan, and always remain aware of the immigration updates.
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